January 26, 2015, 8:32AM

July 18, 2012, 2:00PM

Highways are busy, beaches are crowded-it must be summer in Michigan. Want to try some place different this summer? There is a lot of fun offered at area farm markets, from those in town to ones located right on farms. Horse-drawn rides through orchards, picking your own fruit right off the vine (you cannot get any fresher than that!), wine tasting, petting zoos...the options are endless. Click here for more farm-related fun! Full story »

May 31, 2012, 2:00PM

One of the first Michigan crops out of the ground is now available, asparagus! This growing season has been iffy for growers. From an early spring, to labor concerns and frost damages, Michigan specialty crop growers are knee high in one unpredictable year. Asparagus growers are back on track, however, and the crop is ready for eating. Click here to make sure you have enough to go around all year long with this freezing tip. Full story »

May 14, 2012, 2:00PM

A long time ago I saw a television interview of the famous chef Julia Child. Because she was always cooking and tasting so much rich, fattening food, Julia explained that she imposed on herself four very basic dietary rules: "Small helpings. No seconds. No snacking. A little bit of everything." Hey, I thought to myself, Julia Child eats just like a cow! Click here to learn how cows eat their food, and you too might believe Julia Child ate like a cow! Full story »

April 20, 2012, 2:15PM

We're getting closer to planting our garden. A great rule of thumb is to plant seeds and transplants outside around Memorial Day weekend. A good idea is to gather all your seeds and create a key of where each seed will be planted - this will help you identify each plant during the germination process. Click here to check out my simple steps for planting your spring garden! Full story »

April 06, 2012, 1:00PM

Whether you're a seasoned green thumb or aspiring to be, check out the weekly blog posts each Friday during the month of April. Over the next month, I'll take you step by step through the process of preparing, planting and caring for your garden. We'll share some useful tips and tricks to make sure your garden is a success. Each post will feature a recipe that can be made using your own garden's produce. Check out this post to get your first two steps! Full story »

August 20, 2009, 8:55AM

Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Margaret and Lowell Swartzendruber provide a field of buckwheat with some mustard mixed in for the bees they raise in their Saginaw Township garden. They have a large vegetable garden and raise bees that produce honey.

August 20, 2009, 8:55AM

Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Honey bees fly in and out of one of ten hives in Margaret and Lowell Swartzendruber's Saginaw Township garden. They have a large vegetable garden and raise bees that produce honey.

August 20, 2009, 8:55AM

Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Honey bees flit from flower to flower in a field of flowers. Margaret and Lowell Swartzendruber provide a field of buckwheat with some mustard mixed in for the bees they raise in their Saginaw Township garden. They have a large vegetable garden and raise bees that produce honey.

August 20, 2009, 8:55AM

Jeff Schrier | The Saginaw News Lowell Swartzendruber tends to his garden with a 1945 Ford tractor. Margaret and Lowell Swartzendruber, of Saginaw Township have a large vegetable garden and raise bees that produce honey.